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Entrance to Compagnies Drift,
home to Beaumont Wines, where Bot River started. The historical estate
is almost in the centre of the village.
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Most people know where Bot River is – they've driven past it on the way to Hermanus or up the Garden Route. Few
make a detour into the town.
CapeInfo's first inkling that there is more to the area was in 2001 when Engen's regional
manager told us that he had bought a farm in the valley to the north of the town, and commuted into the city daily! Other
city people have followed: the valley to Van der Stel's pass is indeed stunning!
Few people associate Bot River with views, but they extend in every direction and they are awesome! The village is on
the southern slopes of the Houw Hoek pass. To the south east, Babilonstoring (Tower of Babel) – 55m higher
than Table Mountain and usually snow capped in winter. To the east, the rolling hills towards Caledon, framed by
majestic mountain backdrops. To the west, if you are on hilltops, the ocean and maybe views towards Cape Hangklip.
Given the correct interventions, we believe Bot River could become the next Greyton, Stanford or Napier – country towns
that offer a real attraction for talented people who make things happen, seek like-minded neighbours and a rural
lifestyle. Yes... there is an english-speaking onslaught on the country towns and it is bringing new life to stagnant towns!
Serious money is being invested in the area. Johann Rupert bought a farm which now supplies grapes to La Motte Estate in
Franschhoek; his neighbour is the former Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Valli Moosa.
Another South African investor is pumping R60 million into new vineyards.
A foreign scriptwriter described the town as "secret suburbia"! Why?
It's an hour's drive from the city centre; 25 minutes from the edge of the City of Cape Town.
It's 20 minutes from bustling Hermanus and the beaches.
It really is central to a wide range of attractions.
It has one of the friendliest pubs in the Overberg.
It is central in the Walker Bay wine region... with 22 producers at last count!
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